Monday, December 17, 2018

Detective Brady St. John was settled in for a relaxing get away, a break that he needed physically, mentally and emotionally. However, that quickly changes when he rescues a woman from the cold water, and then the cabin he is borrowing is set on fire as he and the woman whom he had rescued escape and run for their lives. Emily is utilizing the things she learned while living on the streets so many years ago, and it is proving to help as she has managed to stay alive so far, along with the help of Brady. Emily and Brady scramble to find out who all is involved as there are several whom are unhappy with what Emily has uncovered at the bank where she works and this has resulted in her kidnapping, but also the kidnapping and placing others close to her in danger. Brady is fighting to survive, along with protecting Emily, but he feels his heart become involved, must to the dismay of his siblings as he has been hurt in the past.

I absolutely love this series! This is book #3 in the Blue Justice series and be sure to read #1 and #2 first as you will be introduced to the whole St. John family and they are so good as well! Lynette dives right into the action and I was immediately hooked on the story and my heart racing right away and had to keep reading to find out who all was involved and how the characters would survive, if they did. Lynette's writing flows so nicely and has so many twists and turns and full of action that it is so easy to become lost in the story. She also sprinkles in the romance nicely as well balancing the romance and suspense. I read the sneak peak for book #4 and am anxious for that to be out next and to spend more time with the St. John family and the characters whom I've met along the way.

*Thanks to the Revell Reads Blogger Program for the complimentary copy of this book.*

Book Description from the publisher:

Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s only authorized book revealing the inside
track on his final year of racing and retirement from the driver’s seat.
“Time was running out on my charade… My secrets were about to be exposed to the world.”
It was a seemingly minor crash at Michigan International Speedway in
June 2016 that ended the day early for Dale Earnhardt Jr. What he didn’t
know was that it would also end his driving for the year. He’d dealt
with concussions before, but concussions are like snowflakes, no two are
the same. And recovery can be brutal, and lengthy.
When NASCAR star Dale Earnhardt Jr. retired from professional stock
car racing in 2017, he walked away from his career as a healthy man. But
for years, he had worried that the worsening effects of multiple
racing-related concussions would end not only his time on the track but
his ability to live a full and happy life.
Torn between a race-at-all-costs culture and the fear that something
was terribly wrong, Earnhardt tried to pretend that everything was fine,
but the private notes about his escalating symptoms that he kept on his
phone reveal a vicious cycle: suffering injuries on Sunday, struggling
through the week, then recovering in time to race again the following
weekend. For the first time, he shares these notes and fully reveals the
physical and emotional struggles he faced as he fought to close out his
career on his own terms.
In this candid reflection, Earnhardt opens up about his frustration
with the slow recovery, his admiration for the woman who stood by him
through it all, and his determination to share his own experience so
that others don’t have to suffer in silence. Steering his way to the
final checkered flag of his storied career proved to be the most
challenging race and most rewarding finish of his life.

My Review:"Racing to the Finish: My Story" is the book written by Dale Earnhardt Jr. himself giving the reader a first-hand account of the end of his racing career. This is a must-read for Nascar fans and especially for those whom have following Earnhardt throughout his career. Dale shares the truth and what he had to deal with over the course of several years as he would suffer from concussions and the impact that these had on his career but the impact on his life in every way. Writing can be therapeutic and while reading this, I believe writing this book was therapeutic for Dale and reading it will be for the fans as well. This is a nice hardcover edition that it is a quick read and will have you smiling and remembering the good times watching him race and having a better understanding of the sacrifices and tolls that go along with this lifestyle.

*Thanks to the BookLook Bloggers Program for the complimentary copy of this book.*

Everyone in town knows Emerald Crest, the green granite
mansion atop the highest hill: the legendary, lavish Christmas festivities that used to light up the
nights
—
and the silence that followed when the parties abruptly stopped many years ago. And eve
ryone
has heard whispers about the reclusive, mysterious master of the manor, Henry Lafferty the Second . .
.

When eleven
-
year
-
old Julia Russell steps into the great house for the first time and meets Mr. Lafferty,
the entire course of
her life is altered. She meets a man who is nothing at all like the rumors she’s heard
from neighbors and classmates. He’s kind and extraordinarily talented
—
he also happens to be deaf and
uses a wheelchair. And when she overhears a secret about him, Julia
decides it’s time for the town to
bring Christmas back to Emerald Crest
—
an act that will change them all forever.

Book Excerpt:

Dad
sat down on the edge of my bed. “Time for lights out, my number one daughter.”

“I’m sorry if I
disappointed you today. I didn’t mean to. I just couldn’t help myself.”

“So,
your curiosity got the best of you? You might remember what it did to the cat.
But everything turned out all right for you. Not so much for the cat. And Mr.
Lafferty did seem to enjoy your playing.”

“Will you take me back with you when you go to
see him? Mr. Lafferty asked me to come and play again.”

“We’ll
see.”

“Is
Mr. Lafferty’s special gift talking with his hands? It surely looked like a
gift to me.”

“No,
that’s just his language, one of the ways he communicates. You’ll know his
special gift when you see it, because you have never, and I mean never, seen
anything like it. Maybe next time.”

“So
that means I get to go back to Emerald Crest?”

“Sounds
like it, but you need to remember that you’re not to talk about meeting Mr.
Lafferty. He’s a very private man and doesn’t want people knowing anything
about his business. We need to respect that. Do you understand?”

“Yes, sir.” Dad prayed with me, kissed me
goodnight, and turned off my bedside lamp. As soon as he closed my door, that’s
when the light came on—the light in my brain.

Phyllis Clark Nichols’s character
-
driven Southern fiction explores profound human questions usi
ng the
imagined residents of small town communities you just know you’ve visited before. With a strong faith
and a love for nature, art, music, and ordinary people, she tells redemptive tales of loss and recovery,
estrangement and connection, longing and f
ulfillment . . . often through surprisingly serendipitous
events.

Phyllis grew up in the deep shade of magnolia trees in South Georgia. Born during a hurricane, she is no
stranger to the winds of change: In addition to her life as a novelist,
Phyllis is a seminary graduate,
concert pianist, and cofounder of a national cable network with health
-
and disability
-
related
programming. Regardless of the role she’s playing, Phyllis brings creativity and compelling
storytelling.

She freque
ntly appears at conventions, conferences, civic groups, and churches, performing half
-
hour
musical monologues that express her faith, joy, and thoughts about life
—
all with the homespun humor
and gentility of a true Southern woman.

Phyllis curr
ently serves on several nonprofit boards. She lives in the Texas Hill Country with her portrait
-
artist husband.

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at
midnight December 10, 2018
and last through 11:59pm December 17, 2018. US only. Winners will be notified within a week of close
of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Sunday, December 9, 2018

Book Blurb:Nearly one hundred years have passed since the Great Crash. What was
once America is now a collection of enclaves, governed at the local
level and only loosely tied together by the farce of a federal
government.

Catawba, one of the largest and most affluent
enclaves in the southern region, is relatively stable. It maintains
successful business relations with nearby enclaves. But when a new vein
of gold is discovered beneath the feet of its citizens, it's only a
matter of time before trouble finds them.

Now Catawba's fate depends on an untried young trader named Caleb. Could his plan help secure the enclave's future?

Yet Caleb is keenly aware that if his secret were exposed, he would not live to see another dawn.

My Review:This is an excellent science fiction/dystopian novel for both adults and young adults. Thomas Locke has created characters whom you cannot help but like and feel like you're connecting with throughout the story as they are working together and discovering how individually they can contribute to the group. What I really like the most is the descriptive writing, these two sentences begin the book: "The night was beyond black. The windless air condensed the fog into droplets that clung to every surface." I could feel this air and see the darkness, I love when I feel as if I am a part of the story, transported into the setting and Thomas has the ability to do this with his writing. Added to the descriptive writing is non-stop action that will keep you turning the pages and you will find yourself holding your breath and wondering what is going to happen next. A great book that will have you hooked on the story, highly recommend it!

*Thanks to the Revell Reads Program for the complimentary copy of this book.*

About the Book

A beautiful story of forgiveness and second chances.” -Shelley Shepard Gray, New York Times bestselling authorThey won’t see eye-to-eye until they meet heart-to-heart…
Kyle Miller never planned on becoming a country doctor. But when he’s offered a medical practice in his sleepy hometown, Kyle knows he must return… and face the painful past he left behind. Except the Amish community isn’t quite ready for Kyle. Especially the pretty midwife who refuses to compromise her herbal cures and Amish traditions with his modern medicine…
The more Leah Stoltzfus works with the handsome Englisch doctor, the more she finds herself caught between the expectations of her family and her own hopes for the future. It will take one surprising revelation and one helpless baby in need of love to show Leah and Kyle that their bond may be greater than their differences… if Leah can find the courage to follow her heart

About the Author

Inspirational author Rachel J. Good writes life-changing, heart-tugging novels of faith, hope, and forgiveness. The author of several Amish romance series, she grew up near Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the setting for many of her stories. Striving to be as authentic as possible, she spends time with her Amish friends, doing chores on their farm and attending family events.
Rachel’s Amish series include Sisters & Friends (Charisma House/Harlequin), Love & Promises (Grand Central), Hearts of Amish Country (Annie’s Book Club), and Surprised by Love as well as several anthologies—Springs of Love, Love’s Thankful Heart, Plain Everyday Heroes—and the Amish Quilts Coloring Books.

My Review:This is a really sweet story filled with forgiveness, hope, and love, and one that will draw you right into the characters' lives from the very beginning. Kyle has returned home, something that he never thought he would do. Leah is working toward her dream, amidst obstacles and she is not prepared for the turns her life is taking. Kyle and Leah find themselves working together when Kyle takes over for doctor from his hometown and Leah begins working in the office. These two have different styles of approaching illness and doctoring, and find themselves having to work together and compromise. Both of these two main characters are dealing with their own battles and struggles from their pasts and also current ones. I really enjoyed getting to know both Kyle and Leah as they became so real in this book and their hearts and their true beings really shone through based upon their interactions with each other and with the other characters. Rachel does an incredible job with really bringing this story to life as the characters are so real and the story just flows so seamlessly. After reading this book, I now want to go read others by Rachel as I enjoyed this one so much, but also to read more about some of these characters! I highly recommend this book to those whom enjoy Amish fiction!

Guest Post from Rachel

The Amish and Herbal Remedies
As many of you know, my Amish novels are based on real life. I get ideas from hanging around Amish friends, hearing their stories and observing their lives. I’d never invade their privacy by telling their stories exactly as they happen, but the things I learn trigger plot ideas.
I’ve always been fascinated by the way the Amish approach healing. Once thing I’ve learned is that, although they’re usually willing to visit doctors, they don’t always take the medicines that are prescribed. Instead, they often substitute herbal remedies. That, and several visits to one of my favorite Amish natural products stores, gave me an idea for one of the conflicts in The Amish Midwife’s Secret.
Leah, an Amish midwife, prefers herbal remedies. Of course, that puts her in direct conflict with Kyle, the new Englisch doctor in town, who only believes in science and traditional medicine. Put the two together and lots of sparks fly. Of course, some of those sparks are also of a romantic nature.
Leah is not only a midwife, but her family owns a natural products store. She knows the best herbs for healing. Rather than sending a small boy to the hospital for pneumonia, Leah covers the baby’s chest with a warm mixture of onions and other herbs and spices (some Amish friends prefer raw onion for congestion), and she feds the baby fresh pineapple juice for his cough.
As a doctor, Kyle is horrified. He wants to admit the baby to a hospital at once. And he expects the old country doctor he’s replacing to back him up. Instead, Dr. Hess informs Kyle that many of the Amish go to doctors for a diagnosis, but then rely on herbal treatments rather than prescriptions.
Kyle, who’s been debating about whether to stay in Amish country or move to a big-city hospital, decides to remain in Lancaster and make it his mission to prevent the Amish midwife from harming newborns and their mothers. He certainly doesn’t expect to have his eyes opened to other ways to handle illnesses. But he has to admit, Leah’s methods do seem to work. When a crisis comes, they soon discover that it takes both of them to save a baby.
***
A extra little secret:Those of you who get my newsletter already know this, but Kyle in The Amish Midwife’s Secret appeared in two earlier books. The Midwife story stands alone, but if you want to know more about Kyle and Emma’s past, you can find it in the Sisters & Friends series, Book 1, Change of Heart, and Book 2, Buried Secrets.

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Our brains, our mindset impact so much more than we probably realize, but it's true! Dr. Caroline Leaf has a new book out: "Switch on Your Brain Every Day: 365 readings for peak happiness, thinking, and health," to help with our mindset and living an

overall healthier life. For every day of the year there is a

reading, a quick, short reading on one page, and for some of the

days it is less than a page of text. Each day begins with a verse

or a few verses to read, then a "brainy tip" is shared. For

example, one tip states that our brain does need rest, another tip

is that the more we think that we are a failure, the more we

will fail. Then there is a paragraph or a couple of paragraphs

that further discuss the verse and tip. This is a great way to kick

off each day and having this tip and these readings to think

about during the day and really focus on changing our mindset

and having a healthier brain, a more positive mindset and

healthier way of thinking that will result in happier days and

an overall better life.

This is cute, smaller sized (but thick), padded hardcover book,

perfect to tuck in your bag and pull out when you have a few

minutes or to keep by your favorite chair or on a bedside table

to pick up when you first awake. This is an inspiring read

and after only a few days you will begin to notice differences in

your way of thinking!

*Thanks to the Baker Books Blogger Review Program for the complimentary copy of this book.*

Tuesday, December 4, 2018

"The Christmas Heirloom" is my new favorite novella collection, I absolutely loved it! The story of this piece of jewelry is passed down through the generations and four women are highlighted in this collection as to when they receive the jewelry and how it coincides with each of them finding love. I had high hopes for this collection, I mean why wouldn't I with these authors as they are all amazing and I was not disappointed in the least! Kristi Ann Hunter kicks off this collection with a story set back in the early 1800's with sweet Sarah caring for the Dowager Countess of Densbury, but their relationship being so much more than that of employer/employee. Then we jump ahead to the late 1800's in Karen Witemeyer's story set in Texas with a widowed mother and her young daughter making a fresh start. Next is Sarah Loudin Thomas' novella set in West Virginia in 1958, focusing on Fleeta whom can outshoot every man around, until a new one shows up in town. This collection ends with Becky Wade's story set in present day in Washington State and the lovely Bradford sisters make an appearance from her Bradford Sisters series that is her current series.

Each and every story is unique in this collection with one common theme, the women finding love at Christmas and the heirloom piece of jewelry that has been passed down through so many generations. Karen Witemeyer's story is such a sweet one as Ruth is desperate to provide for her daughter and be able to make a living on her own. However, the housing option that has been found for her is a good deal but so much more than she is able to afford and so she offers her most prized possession, a treasured heirloom that she hopes to pass to her daughter Naomi when she is older. However, the man who she renting from owns the biggest hotel and business in Hope Springs where so many travel to in the hopes of experiencing the healing powers of the water here. As Ruth and Naomi settle in at the café, their new home and the town, they find themselves feeling at home and also helping their landlord feel more at home as well as they help him without really trying or realizing what they are doing. The characters that Karen create just come to life in this story and I found myself just loving them all and the story. Myrtle of course became a favorite as she was just so full of love and full of life and the perfect person to help Ruth and Naomi through her café and as a motherly figure.
I highly recommend this sweet collection of stories, this will truly put you in the Christmasy spirit and the feelings of love and hope.

Have you ever felt like God has left you? Struggled with feelings of bitterness or doubt? Hopelessness? Ruth’s message is not presented as a five-point sermon, but as a spectacular, romantic drama. Its story woos us into relationship with its characters and storyline, yet is also true, living history. This workbook-style bible study approach tackles important life topics including fractured relationships, all-in Christianity, God`s faithful devotion, and rightly processing bitterness and doubt.

Ruth is unlike any other book of the bible because words like love story and theatrical are accurate descriptors of its text alongside being historical, and gospel-centred. She’s small enough in her four chapters to rest as a cute hardback on your coffee table, yet profound enough to explode hope and redemption into your darkest pain and everyday frustrations. It is not only magnificent because of its breath-taking storyline between a man and a woman, but because God sovereignly orchestrated and sealed it within the scriptural canon so that we can experience Him as the ultimate lover of our souls. Ultimately, Ruth conveys the love story of Christ coming to redeem His people. Christ is coming for you. The host has ripped your ticket for Ruth’s next performance and you’ll be sitting front row centre as His guest of honor. Come expectantly and settle into your seat prayerfully. The orchestra is cued, and the curtain is pulling back for Act 1…

Can God be kind and all-powerful when the world is filled with despair?

Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Author

Andrea Thom is a wife, mom to three great kids, and a therapist. Known for being both deeply reflective yet quick-witted, she`s the parent on the sidelines yelling a little too loud for the home team, but also the one who loves to curl up with a good book and a hot cup of tea on a rainy day…or any day. She loves. Her family and friends – the whole messy lot of them. She loves unexpected belly laughs. Putting on warm clothes straight from the dryer. The colour blue. Efficiency. Reason. Tidy cupboards. Easter. Quietly gleaning through scripture’s pages at night before exhaustion folds her into her pillow. That`s a special space – it`s just Jesus and her there – – a hallowed, secret union that is theirs alone. She wants to live with eternity in mind and be consumed with what she’ll be enjoying forever – Jesus. That’s why she loves God’s word so much. Jesus is the only trustworthy One to offer real hope and redemption for our eternal futures and everyday realities.

Guest Post from Andrea

The Bible is not a book about God, it is God actually speaking! In fact, throughout history, Scripture is the primary and most trusted way that Christ reveals Himself to the world. Ever notice how our experiences become more powerful when understanding runs alongside the experience? A sports match is more exciting to watch when we know the rules of play. The theatre is more captivating when we comprehend the dialogue. Music can impact us more deeply when the sweep of the notes collide with lyrics that we actually grasp. The power of our experience of Jesus is connected to the depth of our understanding about who He actually is!
No matter what you’re like or who you are, the same Jesus who spoke creation to life wants to speak life into your circumstances now through His Word. Pursuing biblical depth is not just reserved for the academically elite who are into that sort of thing. We consume food to survive, but we consume His Word to truly live! So grab some friends to join your Bible study journey because the pursuit of truth through His Word is essential, doable, and awesome. Come – just as you authentically are – and prepare to meet Jesus for who He actually is…

Looking for a new Bible study series with FRESH commentary and RELIABLE gospel-focus? RUTH – REDEEMING THE DARKNESS
Have you ever felt like God has left you? Struggled with feelings of bitterness or confusion? Hopelessness? Ruth – Redeeming The Darkness is an in-depth, gospel-centred bible study on how Christ redeems even the ugliest types of darkness that can lurk within and around us. The book is one of the most exquisitely written love stories ever penned. Words like love story, theatrical, and screenplay are accurate descriptors alongside historical, and gospel-centred. It’s small enough in its four chapters to rest as a cute hardback on your coffee table, yet profound enough to explode hope and redemption into your darkest pain and everyday frustrations. The book conveys the love story of Christ coming to redeem His people – now Christ is coming for YOU. The host has ripped your ticket for Ruth’s next performance and you’ll be sitting front row centre as His guest of honor. Come expectantly and settle into your seat prayerfully. The orchestra is cued, and the curtain is pulling back for Act 1…

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
“I have completed a lot of bible studies over the years, but few have grabbed my attention as quickly and held it as powerfully as ‘Ruth: Redeeming the Darkness’. Andrea guides the reader through the book of Ruth and takes them straight to the cross. This study will grow your appreciation for the Word of God, increase your competency in handling the Word of God, and bless your heart. It is my joy to recommend ‘Ruth: Redeeming the Darkness’ as a powerful tool to aid you in your study of God’s Word.” Bible study participant
“Using beautifully descriptive, poetic language, Andrea does a masterful job of plumbing the depths of both the historical context and modern-day parallels and applications. Its message is both surprising and incredibly encouraging to those of us who find ourselves much like Ruth – pursuing ordinary lives in the midst of God’s great Love Story.” Bible study participant
“As the vivid picture of Naomi reveals your own feelings of hopelessness, bitterness, and despair, you will be captivated by a love story that becomes your own.” Bible study participant
My Review:This is a great Bible Study! It is in-depth, but also right at my level I feel like; meaning it is not words and terms that are difficult to understand, but explanations and terminology that is easily to follow and understand. Ruth is such an important person in Biblical history and her story is one that is well-known, but I feel like just the very basics of her story. This study really dives into who Ruth is and her background and all aspects of her story giving the reading a deeper understanding and appreciation. There are additional verses and readings to help deepen your understanding of the text and there are reflection and content questions to help further understand the story. There is ample space for responding to these which I like as well. I felt inspired working through this study as Ruth really is an ordinary woman, she does not see herself as anyone special, but yet she relies on God and trusts Him and this is a great model for each of us to follow.

Ø Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead for at least 10 minutes. When dough is smooth and elastic, place it in an oiled bowl. Turn several times in the bowl to coat the surface of the dough. Cover with a damp cloth. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 45 minutes.

Ø Punch down the dough. Shape into two loaves, and place into two greased 9 x 5 inch loaf pans. Allow to rise until dough is 1 to 1 1/2 inches above pans.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Andrea is giving away a grand prize “Loving the Word” theme basket that includes a gorgeous writing journal with Scripture at the bottom of each lined page, 6 stunning magnetic book page markers,“Be still and know that I am God” Bible verse key chain, Highlighter/ Pink post-it note, Old Testament Bible Reading Checklist by LOVE the Word | LIVE the Word, & RUTH-Redeeming The Darkness Bible Memory Companion Sheet!!

Saturday, December 1, 2018

When his young son is nearly kidnapped, assistant district attorney Colton Gale needs a Christmas refuge—and a live-in bodyguard. Though former military police officer Jasmine McNeal fights to shield them 24/7, she refuses to get attached. But growing close to the little boy and his father might be her only shot at keeping them alive—and becoming a family beyond the holidays.

My Review:I love Christmas books and I have been really enjoying Carol Post's books, so this book was an obvious one for me to want to read and I was not disappointed!Colton returns to his housing development and sees a new neighbor moving in and he helps her, never guessing that she would be helping him only minutes later. Jasmine noticed Colton acting "weird" and so she stayed outside and alert, thus witnessing two masked individuals attempting to kidnap Colton's boy. This is just the beginning of their acquaintance that is quickly going to become more friendly not for the mere fact that they are neighbors, but that Colton has received numerous threats throughout the years through his occupation and Jasmine is a person whom can help provide protection. This is seriously such a sweet love story, but at the same time a high-paced intense read. I love the mix of suspense and romance and you will be through the story before you know it as it is that good! This is a great book to add to your reading pile for December!

About Me

I have been married for 8 years and we have a 4 year-old daughter and 2 year-old son whom are both full of energy and fun! I work as a social worker with at-risk children and their families. I enjoy reading and reviewing books as a way to "unwind" and relax.